Cyclobenzaprine is a prescription muscle relaxant. It is prescribed in 5mg, 7.5 mg, and 10mg dosages for short-term treatment of muscle and joint pain.
In some cases, cyclobenzaprine accompanies other treatments, such as physical therapy or a change in diet, based on the medical condition(s) it is prescribed for.
Half-life: 18 hours (range: 8-37 hours; n=18)
What is the half-life of cyclobenzaprine?
The FDA reports cyclobenzaprine’s half-life to be 18 hours with a range of 8-37 hours.
For elderly people, however, cyclobenzaprine has a mean half-life of 33.4 hours and 46.2 hours for people with hepatic insufficiency.
The FDA also reports the drug “accumulates when dosed three times a day, reaching steady-state within 3-4 days at plasma concentrations about four-fold higher than after a single dose.”
How long does cyclobenzaprine stay in your system?
Cyclobenzaprine is likely detectable in your system for the following time frames:
- Urine: Roughly 3 to 8 after last use
- Saliva: Roughly 36 hours after last use
- Plasma: The FDA states that “plasma clearance is 0.7 L/min”
- Hair: N/A
(Numbers above are merely estimates, and may vary based on several factors, such as age and other medical conditions.)
How long does it take for a muscle relaxer to wear off?
The amount of time it takes for cyclobenzaprine to wear off may depend on the dosage you are taking, as well as your individual health profile. Some studies show that the duration of action can be from 12 hours to 24 hours.
In some cases, doctors recommend their patients to take cyclobenzaprine three times per day to prevent the medicine from “wearing off.” If you have concerns about the effectiveness of cyclobenzaprine on your specific symptoms, talk with your doctor about the best dosage for you.
How long does cyclobenzaprine take to work?
In most cases, cyclobenzaprine works within hours of taking a dose, but time may vary depending on the individual and their dosage amount.
How much cyclobenzaprine can you take in a day?
For more information, please visit our cyclobenzaprine dosage page.
Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.
